Manchester United’s FA Cup dreams came to an abrupt end after a dramatic 1-2 loss to Fulham at Old Trafford. The Red Devils, playing in front of their home crowd, struggled against a well-organized Fulham side that capitalized on their opportunities and held their nerve in the penalty shootout. This result leaves Erik ten Hag’s men with only the Premier League to focus on, while Fulham advances to the next round with renewed confidence.
First Half: Fulham’s Surprise Lead
The match kicked off with Manchester United looking to dominate, but Fulham held their ground. The visitors took an early lead in the 45+1st minute when Calvin Bassey scored after a brilliant assist from Rodrigo Muniz. This came after a series of well-coordinated Fulham attacks that kept United’s defense on edge.
Before the goal, United’s midfield struggled to control the tempo, with Manuel Ugarte (25′) and Andreas Pereira (27′) receiving bookings for fouls that disrupted the flow of the game. The Red Devils failed to find an equalizer before halftime, heading into the break trailing 0-1.
Second Half: United Fight Back
Manchester United came out stronger in the second half, determined to level the game. Their efforts paid off in the 71st minute when Bruno Fernandes equalized, thanks to an assist from Diogo Dalot. The stadium erupted as United fans believed their team had turned the tide.
Both managers made tactical substitutions, with Casemiro replacing Christian Eriksen (68′) and Victor Lindelof coming in for Yoro (52′). Fulham also had to deal with an injury setback as Smith Rowe (53′) was forced off, making way for Traore.
With the game locked at 1-1, neither team could find a winner in regular time, pushing the match into extra time.
Extra Time: A Stalemate
The additional 30 minutes saw both teams struggle to create clear-cut chances. Harry Maguire was replaced by Heaven (91′), while Fulham made fresh changes, bringing on Harrison Reed (107′) and Ryan Sessegnon (101′). However, the match remained at 1-1, leading to the decisive penalty shootout.
Penalty Shootout: Fulham Triumphs Under Pressure
In the high-stakes penalty shootout, Fulham held their nerve, converting four of their five spot-kicks. Bruno Fernandes, Dalot, and Casemiro scored for United, but Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee missed crucial penalties, handing Fulham a 4-3 victory.
On the other hand, Fulham’s composure from the spot saw Raul Jimenez, Sander Berge, Willian, and Antonee Robinson all find the net, sealing their progress to the next round of the FA Cup.
What This Means for Manchester United
This defeat is a major setback for Manchester United, who were hoping to make a deep run in the FA Cup. With their Premier League campaign still ongoing, they must regroup quickly to avoid further disappointment. Ten Hag’s men will need to show resilience as they focus on securing a top-four finish.
Fulham’s Triumph and Next Steps
For Fulham, this victory is a massive confidence boost. Knocking out a giant like Manchester United at Old Trafford is no small feat, and Marco Silva’s team will be aiming to carry this momentum forward in the competition.
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